LOS ANGELES – Take it for what it’s worth five days before the trade deadline, but Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti didn’t sound like a man about to swing a major trade.
Speaking of the market for players, particularly pitchers, Colletti told Mason and Ireland on 710 ESPN Friday, “It’s the thinnest I can remember.”
The Dodgers continue to search for a reliever – and, if more starters become available they’ll likely explore that pool, too -- but Colletti indicated any such acquisition probably wouldn’t be earth-shattering. The Dodgers made several major splashes last season both before and after the deadline.
“It’s not like there are three or four guys out there that really catch your attention to where you think, ‘If we add this guy it’s going to have a domino effect on our whole bullpen,'" Colletti said. “That guy’s really not out there at the moment.”
The Dodgers have scouted the Milwaukee Brewers, who traded their closer, Francisco Rodriguez, to the Baltimore Orioles but could also deal John Axford or Mike Gonzalez. The Chicago Cubs clearly are open for business and are said to be shopping relievers, including Kevin Gregg, a pitcher the Dodgers released in April. The Chicago White Sox, Houston Astros and Miami Marlins clearly would be sellers.
And then there’s a reliever who wouldn’t cost the Dodgers any young talent. They were one of several teams to scout ex-San Francisco Giants closer Brian Wilson’s throwing session Thursday at UCLA, Colletti confirmed. According to reports, Wilson's fastball reached the low-90s, a good indication he might be healthy enough to pitch again.
Wilson, 15 months removed from reconstructive elbow surgery, has scheduled one more throwing session and the Dodgers will be there. Colletti called Wilson “intriguing.”
“He’s somebody that has a great track record and has been on the mound for the final out of a World Series, so there are a lot of things to like,” Colletti said.
